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Family Legal Services
Relationship breakdown is difficult enough. Where it brings with it issues about children or money, guidance from an outstanding legal team can make all the difference.
Our family lawyers
We are one of the top family law teams in the UK and internationally.
Our approach is humane, sophisticated and pragmatic. We understand the needs of people with complex lives and many of our clients are from international families. They often have significant assets and several are in the public eye. We have pioneered a cross-disciplinary approach to family law, and work alongside our experts in tax and trusts, trust disputes, corporate law, immigration, property disputes and other areas of law to provide you with a smart and bespoke service.
Our work is not just about what happens once a relationship, be it marriage, civil partnership or unmarried cohabitation, breaks down. It is ever more important to plan for the future and we can advise you on a great range of relationship agreements and wealth preservation strategies.
Flexibility is key to our approach. With a leading family mediation practice as well as arbitrators and collaboratively trained lawyers, we are not afraid to recommend innovative ways to resolve disputes. Litigation should usually be the last resort, but we protect our clients’ interests fiercely - and successfully - when court proceedings are required.
We will always give you clear, realistic advice. We tell you what you need to know, even if it is not what you want to hear. We listen to your concerns and priorities and help you find the solution that works best for you, however difficult the circumstances. We are on your side.
Our family law services include:
Recognition
As a Firm, they are at the top of their game and are as good as you will find.
Charles Russell Speechlys' global coverage is a main indicator for their top ranking."
Charles Russell Speechlys is a very solid team. They are trustworthy, decent to deal with and settlement-focused."
Charles Russell Speechlys is first-rate at both the partner and associates level, their service is at the Rolls-Royce end of the spectrum."
They have a real strength in depth. They have many strings to their bow and are well integrated to other practice areas."

Membership
Connecting you with our membership of 6,500 family law professionals
Our awards
Meet our family lawyers
Our family law services

Adoption
We help parents adopting children across borders, including advising on the cross-border recognition of adoption orders.

Arbitration
Arbitration is increasingly popular as an alternative means to resolve family disputes, both in respect of financial and children matters.

Children & Parental Disputes
We are well positioned to advise you on the best options for your children’s particular circumstances.

Divorce & Finances
Our family law specialists give clear advice on all financial aspects of divorce.

Family Mediation & Dispute Resolution
We advise on and offer several forms of dispute resolution, with each having their own merits.

International Family Law
No matter where you are based, our approach is supportive with a fast turnaround time where required.

Parentage, Fertility Law & Surrogacy
We care about families in all their forms. Problematically for families, the law on parentage does not join up internationally.

Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements & Wealth Protection
We are recognised as being experts in the field of negotiating and drafting marital agreements.

Unmarried Couples & Financial Claims for Children
Our role is to advise you on how to obtain the best outcome, irrespective of your situation
Our thinking
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FT Wealth quotes Sarah Anticoni and Vanessa Duff on prenups to protect family wealth
Sarah Anticoni
In the Press
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The impact of disputes concerning ultimate entitlement on interim maintenance applications and legal services orders
Sophia Leeder
Insights
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Potential parental disputes about school fees should a Labour government add VAT to fees
Sarah Jane Boon
Quick Reads
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South China Morning Post quotes Lisa Wong on a high-profile ruling in Hong Kong relating to RIVF
Lisa Wong
In the Press
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Caring across borders: The UK’s Homes for Ukraine scheme and the global nature of parental responsibility
James Elliott-Hughes
Quick Reads
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Paul McCarthy writes for Today's Family Lawyer on surrogacy and immigration law
Paul McCarthy
In the Press
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Felicity Chapman writes for Insider Media on alternatives to court for divorcing business owners
Felicity Chapman
In the Press
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Hong Kong’s top court makes declaration in favour of same-sex partnerships
Lisa Wong
Insights
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Vanessa Duff writes for Wealth Briefing on how the Bank of Mum and Dad can help young people get on the property ladder
Vanessa Duff
In the Press
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Sarah Higgins and David Wells-Cole write for Wealth Briefing on the pitfalls of using unregulated legal services
Sarah Higgins
In the Press
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Back to School: How should recently separated parents face the new term?
David Hansford
Quick Reads
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South China Morning Post quotes Lisa Wong on Hong Kong's surrogacy rules
Lisa Wong
In the Press
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The Financial Times quotes James Riby on London’s reputation as ‘divorce capital’ of the world
James Riby
In the Press
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NSPCC urges Government to protect children from domestic abuse during holidays
Shivi Rajput
Quick Reads
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Record success for Charles Russell Speechlys in Chambers High Net Worth 2023 directory
Piers Master
News
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Top 10 things you may not know about Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Vanessa Duff
Insights
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eprivateclient quotes Sarah Higgins and David Wells-Cole on the CMA’s investigation into will-writing and quickie divorce legal services
Sarah Higgins
In the Press
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Money Talk interviews Lisa Wong on wealth protection and preservation in marriage and divorce
Lisa Wong
In the Press
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Atonement and post separation endeavour: wife keeps £1m gift from husband after his affair and will receive a share of his business’ future profits
Sophia Leeder
Quick Reads
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Michael Wells-Greco writes for Wealth Briefing on domestic surrogacy law reform
Michael Wells-Greco
In the Press
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Can a financial claim in divorce proceed after the death of either party?
Sarah Higgins
Quick Reads
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Charles Russell Speechlys strengthens its international credentials with the appointment of Vanessa Duff
Vanessa Duff
News
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Tina Turner: an inspiration praised for turning the tables on domestic violence
Matt Foster
Quick Reads